The show’s previous judges and hosts were fan favourites, and caused the show to grow in popularity each year

The judges and presenters for The Great British Bake Off have united for the first official picture ahead of the new series launching on Channel 4.

Returning judge Paul Hollywood joins newcomers Prue Leith, Sandi Toksvig, who owns a house in Herne Bay, and Noel Fielding in the photo, in which they all hold up cupcakes while standing behind a table filled with tasty baked treats.

Former Great British Menu star Leith has filled the gap left by Bake Off stalwart Mary Berry, while QI quizmaster Toksvig and comedian Fielding have replaced former presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.

Berry, Giedroyc and Perkins opted to leave the cookery show last year after its production company Love Productions sold the show to Channel 4 after seven series on the BBC.

They had appeared alongside Hollywood, who lives near Canterbury, as a foursome since Bake Off began in 2010.

The show has been a fan favourite and has grown in popularity every year.

It puts 12 amateur bakers against each other in the beloved Bake Off tent, each having to undergo three different baking tasks in every episode: a signature bake, a technical challenge and a showstopper piece.

Previous winners include Nadiya Hussain and John Whaite, who have both gone on to have successful cookery and media careers, and last year’s champion Candice Brown.